Vote on rezoning for Ivex is Feb. 3

CHAGRIN FALLSVillage voters will go to the polls in
February to weigh in on a proposed development at the former
Ivex paper mill.

Village Council approved an ordinance Monday for a special
election on Feb. 3.

Voters will be asked to amend the limited industrial
district zoning code to accommodate a development planned at
the Cleveland Street mill by owners Spillway LLC.

Council approved the ordinance after a 2- hour public
hearing where several residents spoke both for and against
the zoning amendment.

Many who live in Hamlet Village and in the neighborhood
expressed concerns about excessive traffic and noise.

Many attendees said the narrow streets and the lack of
sidewalks on Cleveland and Mill streets make any increase in
traffic dangerous, especially for children and Hamlet
residents.

Robert Darden, one of the partners in a development, said a
study financed by Spillway found that traffic would not
significantly increase on side streets. Darden said Spillway
plans to partner with the village to put in sidewalks on
Cleveland and Mill streets.

Hamlet President and CEO Marc Benson said his
Residents' No. 1 concern is increased noise.

Chagrin Falls Schools home football games, which are played
on East Washington Street, can be clearly heard at Hamlet.
Residents are concerned that amplified music from Ivex could
disturb them.

"We're not against this project," Benson
said. "We just want to make sure it is done well."

Village officials can deal with noise in two ways, Law
Director Stephen Byron said. Council can amend the noise
ordinance -- which it is considering doing -- or it can make
noise restrictions part of the development agreement with
the village.

Other residents expressed enthusiasm for the project,
saying it could give a much-needed economic boost to the
village..

Wendy Naylor, who chaired Mayor Tom Brick's special committee for the Ivex site, said Spillway's plans are very similar to the committee's vision....

Vote on rezoning for Ivex is Feb. 3

CHAGRIN FALLSVillage voters will go to the polls in
February to weigh in on a proposed development at the former
Ivex paper mill.

Village Council approved an ordinance Monday for a special
election on Feb. 3.

Voters will be asked to amend the limited industrial
district zoning code to accommodate a development planned at
the Cleveland Street mill by owners Spillway LLC.

Council approved the ordinance after a 2- hour public
hearing where several residents spoke both for and against
the zoning amendment.

Many who live in Hamlet Village and in the neighborhood
expressed concerns about excessive traffic and noise.

Many attendees said the narrow streets and the lack of
sidewalks on Cleveland and Mill streets make any increase in
traffic dangerous, especially for children and Hamlet
residents.

Robert Darden, one of the partners in a development, said a
study financed by Spillway found that traffic would not
significantly increase on side streets. Darden said Spillway
plans to partner with the village to put in sidewalks on
Cleveland and Mill streets.

Hamlet President and CEO Marc Benson said his
Residents' No. 1 concern is increased noise.

Chagrin Falls Schools home football games, which are played
on East Washington Street, can be clearly heard at Hamlet.
Residents are concerned that amplified music from Ivex could
disturb them.

"We're not against this project," Benson
said. "We just want to make sure it is done well."

Village officials can deal with noise in two ways, Law
Director Stephen Byron said. Council can amend the noise
ordinance -- which it is considering doing -- or it can make
noise restrictions part of the development agreement with
the village.

Other residents expressed enthusiasm for the project,
saying it could give a much-needed economic boost to the
village..

Wendy Naylor, who chaired Mayor Tom Brick's special committee for the Ivex site, said Spillway's plans are very similar to the committee's vision....